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Anderson writes to European leaders over Gaza

Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson has written to the heads of the European institutions calling on them to urge Israel to end its offensive in Gaza.

The letter was sent to the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, and the High Representative of the Commission's Union for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton.

Ms Anderson said;

"I and a group of MEPs from across Europe have written the heads of the European institutions calling on them to do everything they can to secure an immediate end to the violence in Gaza.

"A humanitarian disaster in Gaza has been unfurling before the eyes of the world. The EU cannot remain inactive.

"An immediate verifiable ceasefire is needed that would put an end to the killing and the suffering of even more civilians, many of them children, that would allow immediate access of humanitarian aid to Gaza, particularly to provide for urgent medical needs.

"The letter also reiterates that the European Parliament has called on Israel to halt the expansion of illegal settlements and a lifting of the Israeli blockade.

"We are calling on the heads of these institutions to take action to demand that Israel ends all actions which threaten a two-state solution.

"We also call for support for those voices within Israel, particularly writers and journalists, who are fighting against the policies of their government."